MIGRAINE IN MEN: Too Much Estrogen?

We tend to think that migraine are headaches typically seen in women. Indeed the incidence of migraines is 3 times more common in women. But they also occur in men .Here is a new study from the Netherlands that found that migraine in men may well be associated with high estrogen levels.

As men age, high estrogen levels are not uncommon. Along with decreasing testosterone levels , we tend to see aromatization or conversion of testosterone into estradiol (estrogen). We know that elevated estrogen in men is not a good thing. It can lead to premature heart attacks and strokes, prostate enlargement, water retention and fat gain. Now we learn that it can be a culprit in migraine. The reason; men tend to gain fat as they age. Our fat cells secrete an enzyme called aromatase, which is responsible for the conversion.

What's the big deal ? Most physicians practicing traditional medicine rarely, if ever obtain estrogen levels in male patients. Those of us practicing anti-aging medicine do this on a routine basis.

Bottom Line : Men , ask your doctor to draw your hormone levels, and make sure estradiol is included.

Read Original Article Here: https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/migraines/73741